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Barbara Morrison

Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan and raised in Romulus, Michigan, Barbara Morrison recorded her first appearance for radio in Detroit at the age of 10. Well known in the Los Angeles area for her duo and trio dates Ms. Morrison also tours extensively, blazing a trail as a Jazz and Blues legend in her own right across the Continental United States, Western Europe the Far East and "Down Under," wowing audiences with her band.

Fresh off a 33 US City tour, co-headlining in an all-star tribute to legendary composer Harold Arlen (most recognizable for his genius behind the music for the classic film, The Wizard of Oz), Barbara now celebrates her 30th year in the music industry. Over the years she has performed with a virtual "who's who" of the Jazz and the Blues worlds. That list includes legends like; Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, James Moody, Ron Carter, Etta James, Esther Phillips, David T. Walker, Jimmy Smith, Johnny Otis, Dr. John, Kenny Burrell, Terence Blanchard, Joe Sample, Cedar Walton, Nancy Wilson, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, and Keb' Mo. Additional, Ms. Morrison guest stars with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and Doc Severinsen's Big Band.

The dazzling Barbara Morrison has been featured on over 20 recordings. She has dazzled fans of a wide aray of genres from traditional Jazz and Blues to Gospel and Pop. Her melodic voice, with its two-and-a-half-octave range, is known worldwide, as are her rich, unique, soulful and highly spirited interpretations of both, familiar Jazz and Blues classics and original contemporary tunes. Equally as striking is Ms. Morrison's ability to belt out down-home, soul-stirring Blues. Her impassioned renditions of old and favorite torch songs are nothing short of breathtaking.

In addition to her multiple solo recordings, fans have experienced the pleasure of Barbara Morrison's rich and vibrant tones on such notable film and television appearances as; the movie sound track for The Hurricane (starring Denzel Washington), Goin' Home: A Tribute to Duke Ellington and Johnny Otis's CD "Ooo Shoo Be Dooo". Additional credits include the hit NBC TV comedy The Naked Truth, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Dennis Miller Show.

In additional to her gigs with other Jazz and Blues groups and legends, Barbara Morrison also performs at the more renown Blues and Jazz Festivals around the world. Her many outstanding appearances, including those at Montreaux, Nice, Pori, Carnegie Hall, North Sea, Monterey, Long Beach, as well as her Salute to Dizzy Gillespie and her Tribute to Benny Golson, are fondly remembered by Morrison fans who return again and again to share her rare, unique and exceptional vocal gifts.

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241
Album Review

Barbara Morrison: Visit Me

Read "Visit Me" reviewed by AAJ Staff


This isn’t a record; it’s a conversation. Barbara Morrison talks to her band, her duet partners; most emphatically she talks to you, in a piercing style hard to forget. While her background’s in R&B (many years with The Johnny Otis Show, a European tour opening for Ray Charles) here Barbara displays her flair for jazz, with a cast to match.. Plenty of big names, but she outplays them all: urgent, exuberant, and more than a little sassy. An intriguing sound, ...

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Obituary

Barbara Morrison: 1949-2022

Barbara Morrison: 1949-2022

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Barbara Morrison, a soul-jazz singer whose artful vocal control and powerful delivery stunned club audiences and should have made her a household name, died on March 16. She was 72. Born in 1949, Morrison didn't start recording until the early 1970s. By then, a career in jazz and the blues had become a struggle for singers who hadn't made a name for themselves in the 1950s. Clubs had already rolled over to rock and soul, with many converting to disco ...

Festival

Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Barbara Morrison & Her Trio Headline First Divine Jazz Cruise To Alaska June 2013 On Celebrity Solstice

Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Barbara Morrison & Her Trio Headline First Divine Jazz Cruise To Alaska June 2013 On Celebrity Solstice

Source: Jeff Rudin

For the first time in several decades, a jazz cruise is heading to Alaska. The Clayton- Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, the world-renowned jazz band will star on the seven-night Celebrity Solstice Cruise scheduled for June 21-28, 2013. The cruise leaves from Seattle Washington. The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra was started in 1986 and was a success from the start. The Orchestra was the house band at the Hollywood Bowl from 1999-2001 and has recorded with Gladys Knight, Diana Krall and John ...

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Event

Jazz Great Barbara Morrison To Be Honored in "A Benefit Evening of Jazz Legends For Barbara Morrison" at Local 47 Musicians Union in Hollywood, CA on September 11th

Jazz Great Barbara Morrison To Be Honored in "A Benefit Evening of Jazz Legends For Barbara Morrison" at Local 47 Musicians Union in Hollywood, CA on September 11th

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

Music producers Stuart Elster and Richard Simon will present A Benefit Evening of Jazz Legends for Barbara Morrison, co-hosted by Helen Borgers, on-air talent for KJAZZ 88.1 FM and James Janisse, on-air talent for KCRW 89.9 FM for One Night Only on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Local 47 Musicians Union; 817 Vine Street; Hollywood, CA 90038 from 7:00㬆:00 p.m.

Richard Simon, one of the producers of the event, said: “Singer Barbara Morrison is a nationally treasured jazz artist. Barbara ...

137

Performance / Tour

"The Many Faces of Barbara Morrison" opens May 5 at The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center

"The Many Faces of Barbara Morrison" opens May 5 at The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center

Source: Tim Tuttle

LOS ANGELES—Barbara Morrison will sing songs popularized by Aretha Franklin, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Big Mama Thornton, the performing artists who were the greatest influences on her career, in “The Many Sides of Barbara Morrison" at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park. The show opens May 5 and continues May 12, May 19 and May 26 with all performances starting at 7:30 p.m. “How I do my thing, they were the influences of who I am ...

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Event

Jazz Great Barbara Morrison to Headline at Hands for Africa: Reach for the Sky Benefit

Jazz Great Barbara Morrison to Headline at Hands for Africa: Reach for the Sky Benefit

Source: Michael Ricci

Hands for Africa is honored to announce the addition of Jazz and Blues great, Barbara Morrison to the Reach for the Sky event to benefit amputee victims in Haiti and Sierra Leone. Fresh off a 33 US City tour, co-headlining in an all-star tribute to legendary composer Harold Arlen (most recognizable for his genius behind the music for the classic film, The Wizard of Oz), Ms. Morrison now celebrates her 30th year in the music industry. She will perform with ...

216

Performance / Tour

Barbara Morrison's 60th Birthday Celebration Jazz and Blues Party Set for Saturday, September 12th at John Anson Ford Theatre

Barbara Morrison's 60th Birthday Celebration Jazz and Blues Party Set for Saturday, September 12th at John Anson Ford Theatre

Source: Nina Gordon Public Relations

Special Guests Include Gerald Wilson, Tierney Sutton, and Other Top Artists “She’s earthy, real, sassy, swingin’, sensual, blues-drenched, and epitomizes everything great jazz singing is all about.” --Short North Gazette, Ohio

Celebrate the life and legacy of Barbara Morrison when the acclaimed jazz and blues vocalist commemorates her 60th birthday and 35th anniversary in show business on Saturday, September 12th at the John Anson Ford Theatre (located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East), from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Directed ...

204

Event

Jazz Legend Barbara Morrison to be Honored

Jazz Legend Barbara Morrison to be Honored

Source: Michael Ricci

On September 20th, 2009, jazz legend Barbara Morrison will be honored by the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena at their 6th annual gala. The event, themed A Night in New Orleans, will take place at Twin Palms Restaurant in Old Pasadena. Twin Palms will be transformed into “Club Orleans,” featuring southern food and drinks, live and silent auctions, Mardis Gras masks designed by prominent local artists and an intimate performance by Barbara Morrison herself. All proceeds from the event will help to ...

180

Performance / Tour

23rd Annual Long Beach Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival Featuring Hubert Sumlin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Jimmy Vivino, Barbara Morrison, Cafe R&B, Sweet Baby J'ai

23rd Annual Long Beach Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival Featuring Hubert Sumlin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Jimmy Vivino, Barbara Morrison, Cafe R&B, Sweet Baby J'ai

Source: Teresa Conboy PR

Hear the sounds of New Orleans at the 23rd Annual Long Beach Bayou & Mardi Gras Festival, Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28th at the Rainbow Lagoon Park, 11:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Cajun, Zydeco and Blues music along with a daily Mardi Gras Parade led by New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band. Blues legends guitarist Hubert Sumlin (Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters) and harmonica player/drummer Willie Big Eyes Smith (Muddy Waters) will team up with guitarist Jimmy Vivino's East West Connection ...

320

Performance / Tour

Howlin' Blues and Dirty Dogs Starring Barbara Morrison Held over to May 16th

Howlin' Blues and Dirty Dogs Starring Barbara Morrison Held over to May 16th

Source: Teresa Conboy PR

Howlin Blues and Dirty Dogs about the life and times of legendary blues singer Big Mama Thornton has been held over by popular demand beyond April 12th and will run until May 16th at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

Starring blues and jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison as Thornton, the play includes music, dancing, comedy and drama.

Barbara Morrison plays an earthy, impassioned Big Mama--a primal, full-throated, aggressive blues shouter but sweet and mellow when the need arises musically, the ...

267

Performance / Tour

Howlin' Blues and Dirty Dogs Returns to the Stage January 22 Starring Blues & Jazz Vocalist Barbara Morrison

Howlin' Blues and Dirty Dogs Returns to the Stage January 22 Starring Blues & Jazz Vocalist Barbara Morrison

Source: Teresa Conboy PR

Blues and jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison returns to the stage in the play Howlin Blues and Dirty Dogs, about the life and times of legendary blues singer Big Mama Thornton. Enjoying a sold-out five week run at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood last summer, this play of music, dancing, comedy and drama re-opens on Thursday, January 22 at 8:00 p.m. at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood at Hollywood and Highland. The play will run every week on ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Visit Me

ChartMaker Records
2000

buy

I Know How To Do It

Polygram Distribution
1997

buy

At Last

From: Live At The Dakota
By Barbara Morrison

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